Fuel cell bulkhead ???

[phi22b@ck]

Ok so I have fabbed up and welded in a really nice NASCAR style cage for my fuel cell. I have welded it in and patched the floor areas surrounding where the cell is now.

Upon closer reading (read "first time") of the GCR, I need to bulkhead all of the inlets and lines.

How have any of you guys done this in the past? I am curious as to how this should look when done -- I definitely understand the purpose for this, but am not sure if I should just build a hinged cover over the whole assembly or not..

Thanks!

p

[hmsports]

My fuel cell is low enough that I just cut a thin piece of sheet metal and screwed it over the area that I cut out. I cut a 8" square (approximately) access hole so I can get to my cap and mounted an access door to a hinge to cover the hole. I used one of the twist locks from the stock 240 access panels behind the seat to hold it closed. I've seen other guys, whos cell sits higher, build a raised box with a hinged door. Pretty much anything goes as long as there is a bulkhead -- there are no specs as to how thick. It can be steel or aluminum.

[2ManyZs]

Yup, that's the way I did mine. Much less work if you mount the cell low enough to get everything under the floor board. Only time that would not be possible is if you were using a 16 or 18 gallon cell for enduro's. 12 gallon or less should be able to be mounted completely under the floor.

BTW, the lower you mount the cell, the lower the center of gravity, and if possible, try to mount it just off center towards the passengers side. It may help to balance the car by offsetting the weight of the driver.

[hmsports]

Good advice 2Many -- except being 245 pounds I would need quite a large cell to offset my weight :classic:

I use a 12 gallon ATL cell that is mounted low and offset to the passenger side -- ok, right side to be PC. I needed it over that way so I had room for my Flowmaster muffler.

The one issue I had with my cell is getting fuel out of it. The pickup and hoses are quite large and I needed to upgrade to a Holley Blue pump with a pressure regulator up front.

[phi22b@ck]

16 Gallon cell is already in -- I was afraid to drop mount it below the floor pan as it would then hang rather low... In retrospect it would not have been such a bad plan but oh well -- it's mounted in more solidly than the original tank was...

So my idea of building a raised box type lid should be sufficient... I will hopefully be able to post pics this weekend!

Thanks guys -- perhaps I should simply PM you both my quesitons -- you always seem to be the first ones to answer. (8^>)

p

[hmsports]

It's nice to get things answered through a forum too. I've gained a ton of good information from reading other's responses.

One note on the cell. You may want to caulk or seal the seams of the box you build and make sure to have a good vent line so you don't get knocked out from fuel fumes. Nothing like 104 octane fumes inside a helmet!

[Ed]

I too learn alot reading other posts.

I'm getting ready to do a restoration on my car and a fuel cell has been on my mind. I'm not happy with the current stock fuel capacity. Not that there is anything wrong with my tank, but I always thought of cutting out the spare tire well and putting a 20+ gallon tank back there. I do want to maintain a "stock" appearance. Could I still get this with a fuel cell? Can you guys post some pics?

[2ManyZs]

Don't see why you couldn't put a 20-24 gallon cell in a street car if you wanted. I know of some Z's that raced in enduro's that used 20 gallon or so, they normally mounted them flush with the floor and had to fabricate a bulkhead due to the cars being so low. With a street car you possibly could have enough ground clearance to run one that big, might depend on the cell manufacturer as they aren't all the same dimensions.....

Don't have any digital pics of the 280 I sold, but perhaps I can take a couple of the wrecked 240 in the shop, if I can get enough "stuff" out of the way.

[Phred]

This thread is exactly what I need. I am about to start installation of a 15 gal. Fuel Safe cell in my 240. The floor/tire well area has been removed, and the cell cage is next. I would like input on a problem you all have been discussing. I would like to have a flush "trunk" area, but am not sure I can mount everything low enough. The cell (with nice aluminum container) is 25x17x9.5

but the fittings and fill cap add another 1.5in so overall depth below the floor is 11in. Add 1in for the square tube frame and depth below floor is 12in. Do you think I will have sufficent ground clr. for a road race setup? Any advice will be welcome.

Thanks guys.

Phred

[hmsports]

I've always had my cell pretty low. Measure from the underside of the floor area to the lowest part of the pumpkin and you will get an idea of how much depth you will have available. I've always run a 12 gallon ATL cell which has the same dimensions as what you have except the 25" is down to 20.4" on mine. I have always had mine below the floor line with about 1" clearance to the filler cap and have never had a ground clearance issue. My cars are always at the lowest allowed (5") ride height and I've had plenty of bump-strip crossings. Sorry that I can't provide a photo.

[phi22b@ck]

Here is what mine looks like pre-bulkhead. I have yet to build the bulkhead.

[phi22b@ck]

Here is a view of the bottom (and my messy garage floor!) -- shows how low it hangs down.

Mine is a Safequip 16 gallon cell.

p